Trigger mechanism for firearms



F. K. ELLIOTT TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR FIREARMS Filed Oct. 24, 1927 Jan. 22, 1929.

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 22, 1929.

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' Application filed October 24, 1927. Serial No. 228,402.

My invention relates to and has for a purpose the provision of a simple, substantial and positive trigger mechanism particularly adapted, although not necessarily,

for rifles of the military bolt act-ion ty e -wherein a relatively hea pull upon t e trigger of the rifle is required to discharge with the rifle permits the trigger of the rifle to be operated in the usual manner, yet when desired can be instantly set to an active position for use, the mechanism being-capable of adjustment to vary the finger pull necessary to discharge the rifle and capable of being applied to the latter with modification only of the construction of its trigger. I will describe only one form of trigger o mechanism for firearms embodying my invention and will then point out'the novel features in claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating one form of trigger mechanism embodyin my invention, applied to a bolt action ri e and showing the set position occupied by the mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and showing the tripped position occupied by the mechanism to efi'ect the discharge of the rifle. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows, and

' Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4'4 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring specifically to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate similar parts in each of the several views, my invent-ion in its present embodiment is shown for the purpose of illustration, applied to a rifle of the military bolt action typeembodying a bolt 10 mounted for sliding movement in the rifle frame 11 and having the usual striker or firing pin 12, the bolt being capable of manual retraction against the.

normally urged by aspring16 to the elevated position shown in Fig. 1, for latching engagement with the bolt, ,but capable of belng depressed to the position shown in Fig. 2 to effect a release of the bolt, by means of the usual main trigger T of the r fle, pivotallfy mounted on the sear 14 by a pm 1 and avinga pair of cam surfaces 18 adapted to successively engage a portion of the frame 11 as the trigger Tis pulled and thus rock the sear downwardly to release the bolt 10, all of which is conventional and will be understood. i

In its present embodiment my invention comprises-a subsidiary trigger T and an actuator A by means of which the sear 14 is adapted to be depressed to release the bolt 10, in,response to a relatively light finger pull exerted against the subsidiary tri ger. In the present instance the lower end 0 the main trigger T is bifurcated as indicated at 19 to receive the subsidiary trigger T, which latter is pivot-ally mounted at the extreme lower end of the main trigger by means of a pin 20. y

The rear side edge of the main trigger Tis provided with a longitudinally extending recess 21 communicating at its lower end with the bifurcation 19 and at its upper end completely bifurcating the upper end of the main trigger as clearly shown in Figs.

1 and 2. The actuator A, which in the i present instance is in the form of a lver constructed of flat metal of the contour shown, is freely received in the recess 21 and is pivotally mounted on the pin 17 so that both the main trigger T and the actuator A are pivoted upon a common axis. The

actuator A is normally urged to the position shown in Fig. 2,, which I term its tripped position, by means of a pin 22 slidable in a bore 23 formed in the main' trigger T and closed at one end by a tubular plug 24 threaded into the bore, the pin 22 having a head 25 directly engaging the actuator and a shank 26 extending into the plug, upon which is mounted an expansible coil spring 27 bearing against the plug and head 25 so as to normally urge the pin and hence the actuator A to the position shown in Fig. 2.

co-acting means formed on the actuator and subs diary trlgger, comprismg 1n the present instance a hook 28 formed on the extreme-- lower end of the actuator, which is adapted to have latching engagement with a second hook 29 formed on the end of an angular extension 30 projecting rearwardly from the lower end of-the subsidiary trigger T.

When the actuator occupies the position shown in Fig. 2, the subsidiary trigger T is urged to the position shown in this figure and into engagement with a stop pin 31, by a resilient means comprising a fiat spring 32 of such width as to be freely received in the recess 21, the upper end of the spring being formed with an eye 33 through which extends a pin 34 for connecting the spring to the main trigger T, while the lower end of the spring seats in .a notch 35 formed in the subsidiary trigger T. In this position of the subsidiary trigger its forward edge is flush with that of the main trigger so as not to obstruct the operation of the latter in the usual manner. However, when the actuator is moved to the set position shown in Fig. 1 it engages the spring 32 between the ends of the latter and reverses the'tension of the spring so that it is caused to urge the subsidiary trigger T to the position shown in Fig. 1, in which the L-shaped upper end 36 of the subsidiary trigger engages an adjustable stop 37 comprising a pin threaded into the main trigger. Under this reversed urging action of the spring 32, the subsidiary trigger is disposed in advance'of the main trigger, while the hook 29 of the angular extension 30 is maintained in latching engagement with the hook 28 of'the actuator so that the latter will be latched in its set position against the normal action of the spring .27 to move the actuator to its tripped position. It will be clear that by the provision of the adjustable stop 87, the amount of latching engagement between the hooks 28 and 29 can be varied so that the finger pressure against the subsidiary trigger, necessary to disengage the hooks, will be increased or decreased at will. It will be noted that the upper end of the actuator A is provided with a pair of cam surfaces 38 corresponding in contour to the cam surfaces 18 of the main trigger T and adapted to engage the stationary portion of the frame 11 between and in the same manner as the cam surfaces-1 8, so that upon movement of the actuator to its tripped position it will depress the sear 14 to release the bolt 10.

The operation of the trigger mechanism is as follows: 1

Assuming that the actuator A occupies the position shown in Fig. 2, it will be clear that the marksman, by pressing against theroughened surface 39 of the actuator, can move the latter to the position shown in Fig. 1, against the tension of thespring 27 and that during such movement of the actuator, it will cause the subsidiary trigger T to be urged to its advanced position, through the medium of the spring-32, and the hooks 28 and 29 to .have latching engagementjwith each other, thus retaining the actuator in its set position. e i

Upon exerting a light pressure of the fingger against the subs diary trigger T, the ooks 28 and 29 will suddenly disengage, thus rendering the actuator A free to instantaneously move toits tripped position under the urging action of the spring 27,, so that through the medium-of the cam surfaces 38 the sear 14 will be rocked downwardly to release the bolt 10 and discharge-the rifle.

It will be clear that with the actuator A occupying its tripped position, my trigger mechanism will in no way interfere with the normal operation-of the main trigger T, so that the latter isunobstructed for actuation by the marksman, should the heavy pull required to discharge-the rifle by the main trig er, be desired. 1

though I have herein shown and described my trigger mechanism in conjunction with a bolt action firearm, it will be clear that it is equally capable of use with firearms of the hammer and hammerless types, and it will be understood that although I have shown and described only one form of trigger mechanism embodying my invention, that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a main trigger adapted to actuate a sear to effect the release of a striker, a subsidiary trigger, means operable in response to a relatively light pressure exerted against the subsidiary. trigger, by which the sear is adapted to be actuated to release the striker independently of the main I trigger, and means by which the pressure against the subsidiary trigger necessary to operate said first means and effect a release of the striker can be varied.

2. Ina firearm, a main trigger, a subsidiary trigger mounted on the main trigger, an actuator mounted for movement, means for normally urging the actuator to a tripped position wherein it is adapted .to actuate a sear to release a striker, and co-acting latching means on the actuator and subsidiary trigger for retaining the actuator in a setposition, and operable in response to a relatively light pull exerted upon the subsidiary trigger to release the actuator, whereby the urging means will be free to act to move the trigger, means for normally urging the lever actuator to its first mentioned position and thereby cause the sear to be actuated to release t e striker,

trigger, a subsidiary trigger carried by the mam trigger, an actuator comprising a lever pivotally mounted upon the axis of the main to a tripped position wherein it is adapted to actuate a scar to'release a striker, and latching means comprising interengaging hooks on the lever and subsidiary trigger for retaining the lever in aset position, and operable in response to a relatively light pull upon the subsidiary trigger, to disengage the hooks and thereby release the lever, whereby theurging means will move the lever toits first mentioned position and efi'ect a release of the striker. g

4. The combination as embodied inclaim 3 including means by which the latching engagement of the hooks can be varied so that the pull upon the subsidiary trigger neces sary to release the lever can be varied.

5. The combination as embodied in claim 3 including resilient means operating when the lever occupies its tripped position to urge the subsidiary trigger to a non-obstructing position with respect to a finger engaging the main trigger, and being reversed in its operation by the lever when the latter occu ies its set position so as to urge the subsi iary trigger to a position in advance of the main trigger and maintain the hooks in latching engagement.

6. The combination as embodied in claim 3 including resilient means operating when the lever occupies its tripped position to urge the subsidiary trigger to a non-obstructing position with respect to a finger engaging the main trigger, and being. reversed in its operation by the lever when the latter occupies its set position so as to urge the subsidiary trigger to a position in ad vance of the main trigger and maintain the hooks in latching engagement, said last means comprising a fiat spring interposed between the lever and subsidiary trigger and engaging the latter at one end.

7. The combination as embodied in claim 3 wherein the lever is provided with a plurality of cam surfaces at its pivoted end, adapted to successively engage a stationary part of the firearm during movement of the lever to its tripped position for the purpose described.

8. The combination as embodied in claim 3 wherein the main trigger is provided with a bore havinga tubular plug threaded therein at one end, and said urging means comprises a pin in the bore having a head engaging the lever and a shank extending into the plug, and a coil spring surounding the shank and engaging the head and plug.

.said hooked extension of the 9. In a firearm, a pivotally mounted main trigger having its lower end b turcated and provided with a longitudinally extending 3. In a firearm, a pivotally mounted main recess in its rear side edge communicating with'said bifurcation, a subsidiary trigger pivotally mounted at the lower end of the main trigger and disposed in said bifurcation, the subsidiary trigger having an angular hooked extension at its ivoted end, a lever pivoted upon the axis 0 the main trigger and received in said recess, said lever having its free end formed with a hook adapted to have latching engagement with subsidiary trigger to retain thelever in a set position, a spr1ng pressed pm mounted in the main trigger and engaging the lever to normally urge the latter to a tri oped. position, a flat spring disposed in sai recess so 'as to be nterposed between the'lever and subsidiary trigger, operating when the level-occupies 1ts tripped position to urge the subsidiary trigger to a non-obstructing position with respect to a finger engaging the main trigger, and being reversed in its operation by the lever when in its set position soas to urge the subsidiary trigger to a position in advance of the maintrigger, and stop means adjustable in the main trigger and adapted to be engaged by the subsidiary trigger to limit the advanced position of the latter.

10. The combination as embodied in claim 9 wherein the lever is provided at its pivoted end with a plurality of cam surfaces for the purpose described.

11. In a firearm, a main trigger, means mounted for movement independently of the ma1 n tr1gger from a set position to a tripped position, wherein it' is adapted to actuate a sear to release a striker, means for normally urgingthe first means to its tripped position, a subsidiary trigger mounted on the main trigger, and means for retaining the first means in its set position and operable in response to a relatively'light pull upon the subsidiary trigger torelease the first means so that the latter will be free to return to its first mentioned position and eifect the release of the striker without movement of the main trigger.

12. In a firearm, a main trigger, meansmounted for movement independently of the main trigger from a set position to a tripped position wherein it is adapted to actuate movement of the main trigger, said first means comprising a lever pivotally mounted upon the axis of the main trigger.

13. In a firearm, a main trigger, means mounted for movement independently of the main trigger from a set position to a tripped position wherein it is adapted to actuate a sear to release a striker, means for normally urging the first means to its tripped 1 position, a subsidiary trigger mounted on the main trigger, and means for retaining the first means in its set position and operable in response to a relatively light pull upon the subsidiary trigger to release the first means so that the latter will be free to return to its first mentioned position and effect the release of the striker without movement of the main trigger, said first means comprising alever pivotally mounted upon the axis of the main trigger, and the last means comprising" co-acting latching means on the lever and subsidiary trigger.

14. In a firearm, a main trigger, means mounted for movement independently of the main trigger from a set position to a tripped position wherein it is adapted to actuate a sear to release a striker, means for normally urging the first nieans .to its tripped position, a subsidiary trigger mounted on the main trigger, and means for ret-aining the first means in its set position and operable in response to a relatively light pull upon the subsidiary trigger to release the first means so that the latter will be free to return to its first mentioned position and effect the release of the striker without movement of the main trigger, said first means comprising a lever pivotally mounted upon the axis of the main trigger, and the last means comprising interengaging hooks on the lever and subsidiaryv trigger. 15. In a firearm, a main trigger, a subsidiary trigger, means mounted for movement from a set position to a tripped'position wherein it is adapted to actuate a sear to release a'striker, means for retaining the first means in its set position and operable in respons to a relativelylight pressure against the subsidiary trigger to release the first means and thereby render the latter free to move to its tripped position and release the striker, and means operating when the first means occupies its tripped position to retain the subsidiary trigger in a non-obstructing position with respect to a finger engaging the main trigger, and being reversed in its operation by the first means when the latter occupies its set position so as to retain the subsidiary trigger in a position in advancepf the main trigger.

16. In a firearm, a main trigger, a subsidiary trigger, means mounted for movement from a vset position to a tripped position wherein it is adapted to actuate a sear to releas a striker, means for retaining the mam trigger.

z first means in its set position and operable in response to a relatively light pressure-against the subsidiary trigger to release th first means and thereby render the latter free to move to its tripped position and release the striker, and a spring operating when the first means occupies its tripped position to urge the subsidiary trigger to a non-obstructing position with respect to a finger engaging the main trigger,

and being engaged and reversed in its operation by the first means when the latter occupies its set position so as to urge the subsidi ary trigger to a position in advance of the 17. In a firearm, a main trigger, a subsidiary trigger, means mounted for movement from a set position to a tripped position wherein it is adapted to actuate a sear to release a striker, means for retaining the first 8 means in its set position and operable in response to a relatively light pressure against the subsidiary trigger to release the first means and thereby render the latter free to move to its tripped position and release the striker, and a plurality of cam surfaces on the first means adapted to engage a stationary part of the firearm during movement of the first means to its tripped position for the purpose described.

18. In a firearm, a main trigger, a subsidiary trigger, means mounted for movement from a set position to a tripped position wherein it is adapted to actuate a sear to release a striker, means for retaining the first means in its set position and operable in response to a relatively light pressure against the subsidiary trigger to release the first means and thereby render the latter free to move to its tripped position and release the 10;, striker, the main trigger having a bore, and means for normally urging the first means to its tripped position comprising a pin mounted in the bore, and a spring for normally urging the pin into engagement with the 1m first means. I

19. In a firearm, a main trigger, a subsidiary trigger, means mounted for movement from a set position to a tripped position wherein it is adapted to actuate a sear to re-, 1 5

lease a striker, means for retaining the first means in its set position and operable in response to a relatively light pressure against the subsidiary trigger to release the first means and thereby render the latter free to we move to its tripped position and release the striker, and means by which the effective retaining action of the last means can be varied so that the pressure against the subsidiary trigger necessary to release the first means can be varied.

20. In a firearm, a pivotally mounted main trigger, a subsidiary trigger mounted on the main trigger, a lever pivotally mountedupon the axis of the main trigger for movement X30 1 from a set position to a tripped position tripped position and effect a release of the wherein it is adapted to actuate a sear to striker. release a striker, and means for retaining 21. The combination as embodied in claim 10 the lever in set position, and operable in re- 20 wherein the last means comprises interen- 5 sponse to a relatively light pull upon the gaging hooks on the lever and subsidiary subsidiary trigger, to release the lever and trigger. thereby render the latter free to move to its FRANCIS K. ELLIOTT. 

